An expert said that the personal letter Obama sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il most likely contains a message designed to alleviate North Korean concerns over the United States’ attitude towards the communist regime.

President of the Korea Economic Institute (KEI) Jack Pritchard said the personal letter probably says the U.S. does not have a “hostile” policy towards North Korea, and does not have the intention to support a regime collapse in the North.

Pritchard added that after a while, there could be more North Korea-U.S. talks where special envoy Bosworth participates. In addition, it is more likely that North Korea wants bilateral talks with the U.S. rather than six-way talks.

Pritchard had visited the communist state with a working-level U.S. diplomatic delegation before Bosworth’s visit at the end of November.